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Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign 1
Public Transportation and Health
POSITION STATEMENT
Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign
"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."
~Will Rogers
Public transportation supports healthy communities by…
Allowing people to get daily exercise by walking or biking to transit stops Reducing air pollution and pollution-related respiratory ailments, like asthma Providing access to jobs which is crucial to long term health especially for those without a car Directly, some people can take the bus instead of driving. Indirectly, when people take the bus, bike, etc, there is less traffic and stress for those who do drive reducing road rage, long commutes, and traffic jams Boosting mental health by building a sense of community cohesion and connection to neighbors
Public transportation can provide access to healthy community resources such as …
Life-sustaining medical treatments and doctor’s appointments Healthy food outlets like grocery stores and farmers’ markets Places for play and being physically active, such as parks and walking/biking trails
Transportation is a Public Health Issue
Oklahomans face a number of chronic health problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. In fact, Oklahoma ranks 43rd among all states for overall health according to the United Health Foundation. Stress and lack of exercise contribute to our poor health. One way to counter these problems is by using and investing in public transportation. Public transportation is linked to many aspects of good health – access to food, safety, exercise, lower stress levels, healthcare access and employment. The public transportation system is especially important to households without automobiles, the elderly, and those unable to drive. For these people, transit is the lifeline to medical care, grocery stores, employment, recreation, and everyday activities that others take for granted. Many suffer negative health consequences from lack of access to these basic necessities because public transportation isn’t affordable or available.
Public transportation also plays an increasing role in the daily lives of many commuters, students, urban dwellers, and even rural residents. Given the opportunity to get around without a car, many find the advantages of lower stress, more exercise, and pedestrian-oriented communities to outweigh the benefits associated with the traditional car-dependent culture.
And cars are expensive. Transit helps many households save part of the $7,000 or more annual cost of a car, and thus better afford health insurance, dental care, good diet, housing, and even health club memberships.
How We Stack Up
Metro Tulsa and Oklahoma City are only able to provide relatively infrequent transit service when compared with American metropolitan areas of similar size. Transit in suburban and rural areas is no

Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign 1
Public Transportation and Health
POSITION STATEMENT
Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign
"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there."
~Will Rogers
Public transportation supports healthy communities by…
Allowing people to get daily exercise by walking or biking to transit stops Reducing air pollution and pollution-related respiratory ailments, like asthma Providing access to jobs which is crucial to long term health especially for those without a car Directly, some people can take the bus instead of driving. Indirectly, when people take the bus, bike, etc, there is less traffic and stress for those who do drive reducing road rage, long commutes, and traffic jams Boosting mental health by building a sense of community cohesion and connection to neighbors
Public transportation can provide access to healthy community resources such as …
Life-sustaining medical treatments and doctor’s appointments Healthy food outlets like grocery stores and farmers’ markets Places for play and being physically active, such as parks and walking/biking trails
Transportation is a Public Health Issue
Oklahomans face a number of chronic health problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. In fact, Oklahoma ranks 43rd among all states for overall health according to the United Health Foundation. Stress and lack of exercise contribute to our poor health. One way to counter these problems is by using and investing in public transportation. Public transportation is linked to many aspects of good health – access to food, safety, exercise, lower stress levels, healthcare access and employment. The public transportation system is especially important to households without automobiles, the elderly, and those unable to drive. For these people, transit is the lifeline to medical care, grocery stores, employment, recreation, and everyday activities that others take for granted. Many suffer negative health consequences from lack of access to these basic necessities because public transportation isn’t affordable or available.
Public transportation also plays an increasing role in the daily lives of many commuters, students, urban dwellers, and even rural residents. Given the opportunity to get around without a car, many find the advantages of lower stress, more exercise, and pedestrian-oriented communities to outweigh the benefits associated with the traditional car-dependent culture.
And cars are expensive. Transit helps many households save part of the $7,000 or more annual cost of a car, and thus better afford health insurance, dental care, good diet, housing, and even health club memberships.
How We Stack Up
Metro Tulsa and Oklahoma City are only able to provide relatively infrequent transit service when compared with American metropolitan areas of similar size. Transit in suburban and rural areas is no